SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State advanced a pair of competitors into Saturday's semifinal round at the Missouri Valley Conference individual tennis championships here Friday in the first of three days of competition at Cooper Tennis Complex.

No. 1 singles standout Diana Cabrera moved on to the semis with a 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-1 victory over Drake's Ines Stephani in the quarterfinals. She will square off with UIC's Agnes Gustafsson in Saturday's semifinals.

Likewise, Missouri State's No. 3 doubles team of Mary Houston and Avakian advanced to the semifinals with an 8-4 victory over Drake in Friday's opening round. They will square off with UIC's Ryan/von Dungen in the next round.

"We fought tough in every match today," said Missouri State head coach Ellie Burger. "I'm looking forward to seeing the girls make adjustments and fight hard tomorrow."

MoState players working through consolation play on Saturday will be Mary Houston at No. 3 singles, Sandra Lukacova at No. 4, Alyson Piskulic at No. 5, and Silva Avakian at No. 6.

Eliminated on Friday were Juliette Robinson at No. 2 singles, Amy Henning at No. 7 singles, and doubles tandems Robinson/Lukacova at No. 2, and Cabrera/Piskulic at No. 1. 

Admission is free for the tournament, which continues through Sunday at Cooper.